12. If you want to give, your gift will be accepted. Your gift will be judged by what you have, not by what you don’t have.
13. We don’t want you to have troubles while others are comforted. We want everything to be equal.
14. At this time you have plenty and can provide what they need. Then later, when they have plenty, they can provide what you need. Then everyone will have an equal share.
15. As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered much did not have too much, and those who gathered little did not have too little.” Exodus 16:18
16. I thank God because he gave Titus the same love for you that I have.
17. Titus agreed to do what we asked. In fact, he himself wanted very much to come see you.
18. We are sending with Titus the brother who is praised by all the churches. He is praised because of his service to the Good News.
19. Also, he was chosen by the churches to go with us when we carry this gift. We are doing this service to bring honor to the Lord and to show that we really want to help.
20. We are being careful so that no one will criticize us about the way we are caring for this large gift.
21. We are trying to do what is right. We want to do what the Lord accepts as right and also what people think is right.
22. Also, we are sending with them our brother who is always ready to help. He has proved this to us in many ways. And he wants to help even more now because he has much faith in you.
23. Now about Titus—he is my partner. He is working together with me to help you. And about the other brothers—they are sent from the churches, and they bring honor to Christ.
24. So show these men that you really have love. Show them why we are proud of you. Then all the churches can see it.